ABSTRACT
Tenofovir is medication used to treat chronic hepatitis and prevent HIV and AIDS. Hepatitis is a life threatening liver infection caused by hepatitis B virus. It is a major global health problem causing chronic infection which further causes liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Hepatitis is commonly spread from mother to child at birth or exposure to infected blood. It can be transmitted through contaminated needles and other sharp objects. Sexual transmission is more prevalent in unvaccinated persons with multiple partners. Most people experience symptoms like yellowing of skin, nausea, and dark urine which further leads to death. In this topic we are going to discuss its causes, adverse effects, treatment and its ayurvedic management.
INTRODUCTION
Tenofovir is an antiviral medication used to treat HIV that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is used to treat chronic hepatitis B. Tenofovir belongs to antiretroviral drugs which are known as nucleotide analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors. These drugs block the reverse transcriptase enzyme which is necessary for the production in HIV infected individuals. These drugs decrease viral replication. Tenofovir disoproxil is absorbed and converted into its active form tenofovir, a monophosphate analog. Then this is converted to an active metabolite tenofovir diphosphate, a chain terminator which is expressed in the cell. Tenofovir diphosphate inhibits the HIV1 reverse transcriptase and hepatitis B polymerase by direct binding with a natural substrate and after movement into DNA causes viral DNA chain termination. Tenofovir increases CD 4 cell count, CD4 are the white blood cells that can help to fight against infections.
KEYS FACTS OF HEPATITIS B
- Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver causing acute and chronic diseases.
- Hepatitis B can be prevented by vaccines that are totally safe and effective.
- WHO estimates that 296 million people are living with chronic hepatitis B.
- This virus is commonly transmitted from mother to child during delivery or can be contacted with blood or body fluids.
TYPES OF HEPATITIS B
- Acute hepatitis B Infection - It usually lasts for six months, Immune system can clear acute hepatitis B from the body which can completely recover within a few months.
- Chronic hepatitis B infection - It lasts for more than six months, because the immune system can not fight against the infection, it may last for lifetime which can lead to serious ailments such as liver cirrhosis, liver cancer.
CAUSES OF HEPATITIS B
Hepatitis is caused by Hepatitis B virus which can be passed from person to person through blood, body fluids. Main common ways that spread Hepatitis B virus are-
- Sexual Contact - If person is infected than it can be spread from persons blood, saliva, vaginal secretions of the body.
- Sharing of needles - HBV can easily spread through needles and syringes.
- Accidental needle sticks - It is more common in person or in health care workers when it comes in direct contact with blood.
- Mother to Child - Pregnant women can easily pass this virus to the babies during childbirth, so it is important for the child to get vaccinated on time.
SIDE EFFECTS OF TENOFOVIR
- Certain allergic reactions such as Hives
- Difficulty in breathing
- Swelling on the lips, throat
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Depressed mood
- Sleep related problems (insomnia)
- Weakness
- Pain
MECHANISM OF ACTION ONTENOFOVIR
Tenofovir disoproxil is a nucleotide analogue which inhibits the reverse transcriptase an enzyme in retrovirus such as Human immunodeficiency virus, while there is inhibition of human enzymes such as DNA polymerase alpha , beta and mitochondrial DNA polymerase gamma. In vitro tenofovir fumarate is converted into tenofovir. Tenofovir lacks a hydroxyl group in position so it is incorporated into a DNA strand which further prevents viral replication.
ADVERSE EFFECTS OF TENOFOVIR
- Lactic acidosis includes -
- Weakness
- Muscle pain
- Dizziness
- Trouble in breathing
- Irregular heartbeat
- Liver enlargement includes -
- Dark urine
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Yellowing of skin
- Discomfort
- Worsening hepatitis B virus includes -
- Decreased mineral bone density
- Kidney damage and reduced kidney function includes -
- Long term use of tenofovir is associated with nephrotoxicity which appears as acute kidney disease, glomerular filtration rate.
- Elevate serum concentration
- Affects immune system such as signs of new infection (fever, swollen glands, cold sores)
- Pricking feeling, problems related with balance or eye movement
- Enlarged thyroid
- Menstrual changes
AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT
Autoimmune hepatitis is due to high levels of pitta doshas in the liver (yakrit). When pitta gets vitiated it destroys the normal body component, mainly the cells and organs in which it is stored and produced. The aggravated pitta can pass to the regions of the body along with vata and kapha; when it comes in contact with pitta it causes inflammation and this further leads to chronicity. In Ayurveda, liver forms the root of raktavaha srotas, pachaka pitta gets vitiated and imparts the disturbing effect on ranjaka pitta in the liver. When pitta is high in the body it evaporates the kapha and this vitiated pitta loses strength, immunity. With severe pitta and kapha depletion in the liver leads to degeneration and dryness which is helpful for vata dosha, then this doshas damages liver and leads to cirrhosis and loss of immunity, this then causes autoimmune hepatitis which runs in the whole body.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEPATITIS B
HERBS USEFUL IN HEPATITIS
- Kumari (aloe vera) - Aloe vera has mild laxative action and wound healing properties so helpful in hemorrhoids. It has a blood thinning effect so useful against cholesterol and in atherosclerosis. Aloe vera has antimicrobial properties so good in stomach and skin disease, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, improves vision and acts as a tissue rejuvenation.
- Guduchi (giloy) - Giloy is useful in the treatment of fever, jaundice, asthma, and cardiac disorders. Guduchi is useful in vata imbalance disorders and helps to relieve constipation, helpful in balancing tridosha. It helps in the treatment of jaundice and many liver diseases. Guduchi improves eye disorders and acts as an aphrodisiac.
- Kalmegh - It is an ayurvedic herb used in the treatment of liver diseases, skin disease and helps in purification of blood. It usually reduces vitiated kapha and pitta doshas. Kalmegh stimulates the liver and lowers the sugar level, useful in worm infestation and helps in expelling vitiated pitta. It stimulates sweating so it is useful in fever.
- Kutuki - It is usually helpful in treating chronic fever, skin disorders, and helps in purgation. Kutuki balances kapha and pitta dosha. It has anti inflammatory, anti diabetic, hepatoprotective properties. Kutuki is a liver stimulant used as a laxative and promotes the flow of bile from the gall bladder into the duodenum.
HERBAL REMEDIES BY PLANET AYURVEDA FOR HEPATITIS B
Ayurvedic medicines aid in treating the disease from its root cause, and maintain a healthy living life. Planet ayurveda has been a globally recognized company for 20 years and all the products are made under strict guidance of ayurvedic experts. Planet ayurveda provides the best quality herbal medicines with lifestyle and dietary precautions. Ayurvedic medicines aid in reducing the risk of recurrence of diseases and cause no side effects of the treatment as it is purely plant-based extracts. So planet Ayurveda provided LIVER CARE PACK for healthy liver which we will discuss in this topic in detail.
PRODUCTS LIST
- YAKRIT PLIHANTAK CHURNA
- PHYLLANTHUS NIRURI
- ECHINACEA CAPSULES
- LIVER DETOX FORMULA
PRODUCTS DESCRIPTION
1. Yakrit Plihantak Churna
Yakrit Plihantak churna a polyherbal churna which is prepared by planet ayurveda using ingredients like- Bhumiamla ( Phyllanthus niruri), Bhringraj ( Eclipta alba), Kalmegh ( Andrographis paniculata) and many more. Yakrit Plihantak churna is used to improve liver functions, used in alcoholic liver disease, fatty liver, and pitta disorders. This churna helps to remove excessive fat from the liver and helps in the regeneration of damaged liver cells.
Dosage - ½ to 1 tsp twice daily with plain water after meals.
2. Phyllanthus Niruri
Phyllanthus Niruri are poly herbal capsules formulated by planet Ayurveda consisting of single standardized extract Bhumiamla ( Phyllanthus niruri). It is commonly known as a stone breaker or shatter stone. It has an anti hepatotoxic property which enhances disease liver functions. These capsules reduce the risk of stones and are an excellent herb for hepatitis B, anti HIV, in chronic dysentery. It is used as a general tonic in debility, has mild diuretic properties so good in treatment of dysuria.
Dosage - 1 to 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.
3. Echinacea Capsules
Echinacea capsules are herbal capsules formulated by planet Ayurveda using a single extract of Indian Echinacea ( Andrographis paniculata). These capsules are natural cleansers of blood and remove toxins from the body such as urea, uric acid thus improving liver and kidney functions. It is used in the treatment of Hepatitis B, gastric disorders, and diabetes. These capsules have antiviral properties which further involve glycoproteins thus invading cells in the body.
Dosage - 1 to 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.
4. Liver Detox Formula
They are poly herbal capsules formulated by planet ayurveda using ingredients like Katuki ( Picrorhiza kurroa), Makoy ( Solanum nigrum), Himsra ( Capparis spinosa), Haritaki ( Terminalia chebula). These capsules are highly beneficial in cirrhosis of the liver, thus increasing digestive fire so preventing intestinal spasms helps to treat flatulence. In the intestines the bile and toxins are absorbed and excreted out.
Dosage - 1 to 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.
CONCLUSION
Hepatitis is a life threatening liver infection caused by hepatitis B virus. Tenofovir belongs to antiretroviral drugs which are known as nucleotide analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors. These drugs block the reverse transcriptase enzyme which is necessary for the production in HIV infected individuals. Autoimmune hepatitis is due to high levels of pitta doshas in the liver (yakrit). When pitta gets vitiated it destroys the normal body component, mainly the cells and organs in which it is stored and produced. So we discussed many herbs and the remedies which are formulated by Planet Ayurveda in detail which provides a healthy liver without causing any side effects.
